The GOODS from Cafe Medina

Vancouver BC | Beloved brunch hotspot Café Medina will celebrate its first delicious decade by shelving its usual no-reservations policy to bring back its popular ‘Front of the Line’ Fundraiser throughout the month of February.

From February 1 to 28, Café Medina will open three peak time slots each day — at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. — for two to six guests who pledge a $25 per-table donation ($35 on Saturdays and Sundays), with 100 per cent proceeds donated to the BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF), a local non-profit charity that provides support for individuals within the hospitality community who are coping with a financial crisis arising from a health or medical condition.

For owner Robbie Kane, the fundraiser represents the ideal way to mark Café Medina’s 10th anniversary — ever since he first launched the brunch spot in 2008, Kane has been a staunch proponent of not only providing sustenance to his patrons but gratitude to the community at large by supporting a number of charities and initiatives such as the Movember Foundation, CLICK, Mission Possible and Mealshare.

Shortly after first opening its doors in Crosstown, Café Medina quickly gained a following thanks to its eclectic bistro fare, connoisseur-savvy coffee and Kane’s distinctive brand of enlightened hospitality. While it moved to its current home in the Library District in 2014, Kane and crew didn’t miss a step when it came to migrating the signature Medina mystique — proof of this came last year when the restaurant was singled out for the inaugural Best Brunch award at the 28th annual Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards in addition to its perennial recognition in the Georgia Straight’s annual Best of Vancouver Awards.

“Marking this very special milestone while also supporting a worthwhile cause just underscores what I was taught, how I was trained and what I continue to believe in — to give back whenever you can and show gratitude wherever possible,” says Kane. “We are truly thankful for all of our loyal fans who have helped make Medina a must-stop for locals and visitors alike for the past 10 years. We look forward to continuing to provide sustenance in every way, shape and form well into the future.”

While Café Medina is as well known for its lineups as its signature Mediterranean-inspired cuisine and Belgian waffles, the popular brunch destination always encourages its guests to take advantage of frequently low-traffic times both in the early morning and after 2 p.m. on weekdays to secure a coveted spot at the bar or in the dining room.

TO BOOK | To make your donation to Café Medina’s ‘Front of the Line’ BC Hospitality Foundation fundraiser, visit www.medinacafe.com/bchf-fundraiser.

IN BRIEF

‘Front of the Line’ BC Hospitality Foundation fundraiser (BCHF) dates are February 1 to 28.

A maximum of three tables — one per time slot — are available to be booked each day in February at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Tables may be booked for two to six people for a $25 donation on weekdays or $35 on weekends to the BCHF, which will receive 100 per cent of all donations.

Once all guests have arrived, the party will receive the next available table. Tables will not be seated until the full party has arrived.

‘Front of the Line’ donations are non-refundable.

Café Medina

Neighbourhood: Downtown

780 Richards St.

604-879-3114

WEBSITE